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Drive Clean Effort Highlighted In National Drive Electric Week

National Drive Electric Week is being
observed Sept. 8 through 16, and the Valley Air District is highlighting the
widespread availability, practicality and affordability of today’s plug-in
vehicles. The District’s Drive Clean in the San Joaquin program provides Valley
residents and businesses with a rebate of up to $3,000 when purchasing or
leasing a battery-electric, or plug-in hybrid vehicle.

The San Joaquin Valley air basin fails
to meet federal, health-based standards for ground-level ozone and particulate
matter pollution. While meteorology, geography and topography play a key role
in the Valley’s air pollution problems, motor vehicles are its largest emission
source. Since the Air District does not hold regulatory authority over tail
pipe emissions, a robust grants and incentives program are among its many strategies
to reduce air pollution and protect public health in the San Joaquin Valley.

Electric vehicles are less expensive to
maintain and more convenient to fuel than gasoline vehicles, are better for the
environment, and most importantly, produce zero emissions.

Through the rebate option of the
District’s Drive Clean in the San Joaquin incentive program, individuals or
organizations who purchase or lease a new, electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle,
are eligible for rebates up to $3,000. Additional state and local incentives
offer significant rebates beyond that offered by the District.

To learn more and download the
application, visit: http://valleyair.org/drivecleaninthesanjoaquin/rebate/.

Businesses and public agencies are also
encouraged to help build the Valley’s EV infrastructure by installing electric
vehicle charging stations using the District’s Charge Up! Program. Charge Up!
provides grants to organizations that install charging stations on site for
public and employee use. For more information on Charge Up!, visit:
www.valleyair.org/chargeup.

For more information, call the local Air
District office in Modesto at 209-557-6400.